Ariz. hospital restaurant packing customers in

It doesn't take long for word to get out about a new restaurant in Green Valley, even if it's tucked inside the new Green Valley Hospital.

That's where you'll find Madera Restaurant & Grille, and you've never seen a hospital cafeteria pack 'em in like this. The best part is you don't have to be a patient or visitor to enjoy it. Anybody's welcome.

Heading up the restaurant is Brian Pierce, director of food services at hospital, which opened in May.

He brings more than 20 years of experience in the luxury hotel business, including working more than four years as the director of restaurant operations for The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale and later as director of food and beverages at Scottsdale's Four Seasons Resort & Spa.

Pierce developed the Madera Restaurant’s breakfast and lunch/dinner menus and the hospital's off-site catering program for medical offices. He also oversees the Sunrise Café coffee bar in the hospital lobby just outside the first-floor restaurant.

The restaurant seats about 100 people and is open seven days a week, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"This is a functional cafeteria for the staff and volunteers and has a restaurant feel for anyone from the public who is either here to see a patient or who just drops in to eat,” said Kathleen Lewis, the restaurant’s operations manager.

Diners order at the grill window or can visit a serving line to be served the hot special with generous portions at reasonable prices. A drink station or a cold "grab & go" drink cooler. The menu is simple with a big selection.

"The trend in the hospital world today is healthy and fresh food service, complementing the hospital's goal of good nutrition for the health of the patients and staff," Pierce said. "Depending on what their medical issues are and if there are any medical restrictions on a patient's diet, patients have the opportunity to order and eat the same food that you can order in the restaurant."